Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Anchorage, AK: $87,023 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Anchorage, AK earns a median $87,023/year (≈ $41.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Anchorage's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.4), that paycheck buys what $82,549 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 20.5% above the Alaska state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Anchorage, Alaska, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) earn a median annual salary of $87,023, reflecting a robust compensation level when compared to the 2026 national median of $68,071. The salary range for LPNs in this region varies significantly, from $70,438 at the 10th percentile to $99,686 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the diverse opportunities available based on experience and work setting. Anchorage's health care environment differs significantly among various employment types, with skilled nursing facilities typically offering the highest pay, followed by clinics and home health agencies. The data, drawn from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected to 2026, reveals that Anchorage's nursing job market is particularly favorable, shaped by local demand for skilled practitioners in a range of facilities throughout the area.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,438 | $33.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,924 | $36.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $87,023 | $41.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92,065 | $44.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99,686 | $47.92 |
Median Salary Position
27.84% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Anchorage
In Anchorage, AK, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,248 (2026 est.). At $87,023, the local median is 27.84% above the national median of $68,071.
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At 40 hours/week in Anchorage: You'd be above the median
How Anchorage Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Anchorage median: $87,023/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Anchorage Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska Average | $72,218 | +20.50% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | +27.84% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Anchorage, AK earn a median of $87,023 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.84% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 20.50% above the Alaska state average of $72,218.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Anchorage has a cost of living 5.42% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Anchorage, AK has a cost-of-living index of 105.42 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $87,023 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $82,549 — a 5.14% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,860
2025 BLS Actual
$82,330
2026 Current Est.
$87,023
2019–2027 Growth
+41.8%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Anchorage (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,860 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,860 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,320 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,340 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,400 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,060 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,330 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,023 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,983 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Anchorage metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 26.9% from $64,860 (2019) to $82,330 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,983 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,123 (41.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Anchorage metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.70% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $70,438 – $75,924 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,924 – $87,023 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $87,023 – $92,065 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $92,065 – $99,686 |
LPN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual licensed practical nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Licensed Practical Nurse Job Market in Anchorage
With approximately 160 licensed practical nurses employed in Anchorage, the local job market offers promising prospects for those entering the field, especially as the industry anticipates a growth rate of 5.70% annually. However, it is essential to consider the regional cost of living index, which sits at 105.42, indicating that living expenses are slightly above the national average. Compensation can vary by employer type; for instance, skilled nursing facilities generally pay more compared to home health agencies and physician offices. Factors influencing salary disparities include setting-specific differentials and various incentives like IV therapy stipends, evening shifts, and holiday premiums, particularly prevalent in long-term care settings. For those looking to maximize their licensed practical nurse pay in Anchorage, pursuing additional certifications and specializing in high-demand areas can enhance earning potential significantly while navigating the transition into LPN-to-RN bridge pathways.
More salary data for Anchorage, AK:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Aisha Malik, LPN
Career Analyst
Aisha has 10 years of experience as a licensed practical nurse. She specializes in pediatric nursing. Aisha has worked in various outpatient clinics.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $82,330 for licensed practical nursesin the Anchorage metropolitan area. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for licensed practical nurses (SOC 29-2061).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov